Method and machine for making capsules, particularly gelatin capsules



Dec. 4, 1945. c. A. sPo-rz 2,390,337

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING CAPSULES PAPTICULVARLY GELATIN CAPSULESFiled May 1:5, 1941 e sheets-sheet 1 Ammun- Dec. 4, 1945. c. A. sPoTz IMETHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING CAPSULES PAI'TICULARLY GELATIN CAPSULES 6Sheets-Sheet 2 Cfu-s114044. Sno rz mi A m @n Mw um. uw

wh www ,LN

. mJWUN n mu.

www

-C. A. SPOTZ Dec. 4, 1945.

METHOD lAND MACHINE FOR MAKING CAPSULES PAPTICULARLY GELATIN CAPSULEShwy/74%@ Arrmewm.

c. A. sPo-rz 2,390,337

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING CAPSULES PAPTICULARLY GELATIN CAPSULESFiled may 1s. 19'41 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 l rse A. SPO rz y I. W75? z' @Y Vru'- Dec. 4, 1945. c. A. s'PoTz 2,390,337

Filed May 13, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 f l [Nvu/rok.

(Hfs Tfr 14. 5Porz. v

/1 fram/irs.

c. A. sPo-rz 2,390,337

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING CAPSULES PAPTICULARLY GELATIN CAPSULESDec; 4, 1945.

Filed May 15, 1941 e sheets-sheet e Arravm Patented Dec. 4, '1945 METHODAND MACHINE ron MAKING CAPSULES, PARTICULARLY GELATIN CAP- SULES ChesterA. Spotz, Lachute, Quebec, Canada Application May 13, 1941, Serial No.393,222

23 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and ma chine for making capsules,particularly gelatin capsules.

Over a long period of years, the most widely followed method of makinggelatin capsules was cut therefrom by way of the mating cavities apluxality` of capsules, confining therein the capsule filling liquidandsimultaneously sealing the capsules, these operations being carried onunder suitable pressure and temperature conditions so as to achieve thisresult. This method is still followed to a considerable extent.

The disadvantages of this method are that it is comparatively slow, thatit results in the loss of a great deal of the capsule filling materialwhich is trapped between those portions of the gelatin sheets that areleft (l. e., a foraminous mat) after the capsules are formed, and thatit consequently also results in a loss of gelatin. In some cases thesurplus gelatin may be used again after it has been freed from thecapsule filling material trapped in it, but in many cases the capsulelling material is such that the surplus gelatin cannot be` readily freedfrom it so that there is a loss of both the gelatin and the capsulefilling material. In a large number of instances the capsule llingmaterial is very expensive, particularly in the case of certain medicalcompounds, so that the resultant cost of the capsules must be relativelyhigh and the-profit comparatively low.

Attempts were made to produce an automatic capsule making machine and inthe past few years an automatic capsule machine has been developedandput into commercial use. This has involved the formation of gelatinstrips, two of whichare fed by suitable conveying means over the surfaceof a memberdesigned to supply liquid content material for the capsuleultimately formed and thence to a pair of cooperating rotary dies. Thestrips are passed over and held against similar opposing surfaces priorto Acontacting with the dies, and the capsule 4filling material isforced against one or both strips just before they are moved intocontact with one another between the dies and at a point when a positestrip capsule filling corresponding cavity of each die is disposedagainst each strip, so that the resultant pressure of liquid bulges outeach strip into the cavity over which it lies. When these cavities arebrought together with the strips the capsule is cut and sealed with thelling material trapped therein.

While this machine has operated successfully to prod'uce capsules it hasseveral disadvantages. It is difficult to prevent air from passing alongwith the filling material into the capsule, particularly where there maybe small depressions in the strip which are not eliminated by contactwith the surface over 4which the strip passes, and air has the result ina majority of cases of causing deterioration of the contents of thecapsule. A further disadvantage is that it is impossible to obtain atruly symmetrical and consequently'uniform capsule for the reason thatthe two strips of gelatin may not always have the same elasticproperties by reason either of one strip being of greater thickness thanthe other or of a difference in temperature of the two strips. In such acase the pressure of the capsule filling material which is dischargedfrom orifices against one or both strips will cause the least resistantstrip to c receive a greater portion of the filling material,

thus bulging it to a greater extent than the opwith the result that alopsided capsule is formed and sealed in that condition. Anotherdisadvantage of this machine is that if either one of vthe strips ofgelatin at any point in its length is thinner than it should be anddoes' not contact with the die after it is moved to the point, thepressure of\ the filling liquid can be exerted sideways during the timethat it is forcing the gelatin outwardly from the surface over which itis travelling. and into the die,'thus leaving a space between the stripand such surface. Any leakage of the lling material onto the die or diesis a serious disadvantage as it contaminates not only thev dies but thecapsules which are filled after they have been contaminated. The machineshould be shut down and thoroughly cleaned and any contaminated capsulesmay have to be subjected to a relatively expensive treatment to makethem saleable.

I have devised a method and machine for making capsules which avoids thedisadvantages of the two prior methods. By -the utilization of myinvention capsules may be speedily and elciently made with negligibleloss of the capsule lling material during the formation of the capsule.The possibility of seepage of air into the capsule is eliminated and asatisfactorily uniform capsule .of the tube shown can be obtained. Iaccomplish this by first forming gelatin strips into a tube and thenmaking the capsule from such tube.

In the drawings: f

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a capsule making machine according to thepresent invention with the casing shown in section.

Fig, 2 is a top plan View of Fig. l with the casing also shown insection.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the right hand end of Fig. 1 toillustrate in more detail the position and arrangement of the tubeforming rolls' and rotary capsule dies and themeans of operating themand feeding the material thereto.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the two rotary capsuleforming die rolls, the rolls being partly broken away in section toillustrate the die cavities and the manner in which the capsules areformed therein, as wellv as to illustrate the construction of the hollowsheath around which the tube is formed and through which the `capsulesare filled.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail 'of the rotary capsule formingdie rolls, illustrating a capsule being filled from. the hollow sheathin the step which is followed just prior to the forming of the capsuleas illustrated at the end of the hollow sheath in Fig. 4.

6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of an alternative construction forthe rotary capsule forming die rolls and an alternative manner offorming capsules. y

Fig, 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken through one of the tubeforming rolls and abutting guide roll'for shaping the material prior toforming the tube.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken l through the two tubeforming rolls at their nip,

illustrating the manner in which a tube is formed around the mandrel orhollow sheath.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the two tube formingrolls, showing the mandrel or hollow sheath passing therebetween withpart formed around the hollow sheath. 4

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of a fitting designed slidablyto engage the side of the lower capsule forming die roll for subjectingthe die cavities to air pressure at a predetermined point.

Fig. 11 is a similar view to Fig. 10 but illustrating similar fitting asapplied to the upper capsule forming die roll.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of means to control the firstseries of endless-belts' tov take up the stretch in the gelatin strips.

Fig. 13 is a modified form of fittings designed toslidably enga/ge theside face of the capsule dies. One of the fittings subjects the capsulecavities to air pressure while the other causes the waste cavities to besubjected to 4suction or vacu-v um.

The method can be followed out in a machine such as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Referring first to Figure 1, the machine includesa base I 0 suitably supported as at II with suitable superstructurerising from the base to support the various working elements.y Thissuperstructure may include channel irons or other suitable supports I2,I3 and IIII and a. metal plate structure at the opposite en'df 'the basel I0. On the channel irons I2 the shafts I5 and I6 may be suitablyjournalled with corresponding shafts vl1 and Ala journaued on channelirons la.

The construction is such that the machine may `readily be built to carrymultiple units and t0 duplicate various parts of the apparatus. Thiswill be readilyappreciated by reference to Figure l2. where it will beseen .that the belts and pulleys are duplicated so as to provide amachine having two units for making capsules simultaneously.

On the channel irons I2 suitable supports are formed such as angle ironsor plates 22 (Fig, 2), on which are supported the gelatin tanks 23 and24, each of which may be fed from a. maintank 25 through suitable pipelines as shown. Tanks 23 and 24 may be provided with float valves tocontrol the supply of gelatin as required from tank 25, which latter is'heated, as for instance by a hot water or steam jacket, the circulationfor the heating medium being controlled bythe pipes 26 and 26. Thetanks23 and 24 may alternatively be provided with an overflow dam asshown in Figure 1, so that when the liquid gelatin reaches apredetermined head it will overflow. The overflow may be collected in asuitable receptacle and used again. The effect ot the overow dam is tosecure a uniform pressure of the gelatin under the doctor blades 21 and2l which are associated with the tanks, and thus to secure a uniformthickness of the film of gelatin deposited on the endless belts 20 and 2I, adjacent 23 and 24 are disposed, as shown in Figure 1. The doctorblades may be provided with 'a micrometer adjustment to secure anaccurate film thickness.

The drive for the belts maybe eected by a suitable electric motor 29through a clutch consimilarly hereafter l temperature such belt 3|.'I'he drive pulley 32 operates a suitable reduction unit, the sprocket33 of which is connected by a chain 33a with a sprocket driving theshaft I I4. 'I'he shaft I I3 is driven simultaneously with and at thesame speed as the shaft II4 by means of a chain 34 which operates asprocket keyed on shaft II3. Shafts III, I1, I6, I5 and I8 are driven bythe motor through` a suitable series of belt or chains 34, II'I, II8,II9, |20 and I2I, and shaft II2 is shown as driven by a chain andsprocket from the shaft I I4. The take-ofi rolls 35 and '36 Aare drivenby chain and sprocket attached to the shaft I1. 'Ihe take-ofi. rolls 45and 46 are driven in a similar manner from the shaft I8. I

The driving assembly, of course, may be any suitable assembly;` while Ihave shown a chain drive, a geared drive would be equally good, andwhere a chain drive is referred to it is to be understood that a geareddrive may be substituted where practicable without changing the essenceof my invention.

'I'he belts'20, 2I, II5 of stainless steel and are designed to carry thefilm of gelatin deposited thereon by the tanks 23 and 24 to the formingdies where it is formed into tubes.

The gelatin is heated in the tank 25 to a temperature suflicientlyhighto get it in a viscous state. It is then deposited on the belts 20 and2| where it is cooled by suitable cooling means to a that it can becarried over and IIB may be formed the take-oi! rolls as describedherein later. It is reheated at'the capsule-making end of the machine toa temperature high `enough to provide for proper sealing of the'capsule.The temperature may vary with diierent batches of gelatin,

depending upon the moisture content of the gelatin and its ability tocure quickly, but could be easily determined by a skilled operator.

The lm of gelatin on the belt 2| after it has been hardened to someextent by cooling is earried over the rollers 35 and 36, which lengthensits path of travel and allows for further hardening. It is then taken tothe belt II5, as illustrated in Figure 1, at the point 31, a support |42being provided i'or it after it leaves the roller 36 to help carry it.Between roller 35 and the point 31, the strip is twisted as at 38 sothat the side I initially uppermost isturned in to lie on the belt ||5.This is done because the uppermost side of the gelatin strip is smootherthan that disposed against the belt when the strip is formed initially.Thus by turning the smooth side into contact with the belt ||5.at point31 the smooth side will ultimately become a part lof the outside of thecapsules to be formed. The gelatin iilm on the belt 2a is similarlycarried over rolls 45and 45 andis then carried down to the belt IIB.This strip, however, is not twisted as the smooth side will be outermostaftery it' passes through the forming rolls later described.

' When the gelatin strips pass over therolls 35 f and 38 and over therolls 45 and 46 there is a certain amount of stretch in them. `Theamount of stretch varies with diilerent batches ol gelatin.

Means to take up the stretch must be provided,

. of gelatin. One means of taking up the stretch is to use mercuryswitches having trip arms thereon which operate through solenoids tostop `the belts 23 and 2| until the strips have been carried along theirpath of travel on the belts and ||3 over the rolls 35, 35, and 45, 46, asuilicient distance to take u-p the stretch, after which the switchesoperate to start the belts 2|| and 2| again. Figure 12 illustrates suchmeans. Pivotally mounted as at |26 and |21 are l'ever arms |24 and |25which have mercury switches |23 and |23 mounted on their yupper ends andare T-shaped at their lower ends to provide arms on which are mountedrollers |33 or simple smooth bars. The gelatin strip is passed betweenthese rollers |30, and when it tends to' pile up at, for example, vA itwill cause the lever arm |25 to swing, thereby closing the switch |23. Asolenoid |3| inthe circuit. oi the switch is thereby energized andattracts its amature which is pivot'aily attached to one end of a lever|32 carrying at its opposite end a stub shaft journailed in a. plate |33which 'is rlUidly secured to a cooling member |23 to .be

hereafter described. 4The free end of the stub shaft is formed with anelliptical cam head |34,

`and movement of the lever |32 causes the belt 2| to be gripped betweenthis cam and the cooling member |23, and thus causes it to slip on itspulleys. l Alternatively, any suitable clutch means -operatedby thesolenoid could be employed.

ment of the gelatin will carry the lever arm |25 'to the position inwhich the lever |24 is illustrated, thereby causing the mercury switchto open and interrupt the flow of current to the solenoid. The spring|35 will then cause the lever arm |32 to return to its inoperativeposition and temperature of the gelatin strips. In the drawings I haveshown a water cooler |22 under the belt 20 and another cooler |23 underthe belt 2|. A continuous tlow of water is maintained through thesecoolers, thus to some extent hardening the gelatin strips on the Ibelts.Under each of the belts I I5 and I I6 I have also shown water heaters|36 and I 31. Water at the proper temperature is kept flowing throughthese'heaters to bring up the temperature of the gelatin strips to thatrequired for proper sealing.

Another method of controlling the temperature of the gelatin strips isto provide a suitable cas ing, indicated by the numeral 39, divided intoa. plurality of chambers by means of partitions 4|), in eachlofwhichchambers the temperatures may be controlled. For instance, in thechamber |38 the 'temperature would be maintained at the proper level toget the gelatin strip in a viscous state. In the chamber |39 thetemperature could be atmospheric and in the chamber |40 the temperaturewould be maintained at the proper level to obtain a good sealingl of thecapsules. The strips are passed from chamber to chamber through slots orthe like 4| formed in the walls of the partitions. Suitable sealingmembers 42 are disposed to close the slots and thus close oi thelchambers from one another. The sealing members 42 are, of course,ilexible incharacter and disposed in wiping contact with the gelatinstrips passing through the machine. l

I have shown two alternative methods of controlling the temperature butthe use of one is suilicient for the required control. The showing ofthe two methods in the drawings is for the purpose of illustration only.By the use of either method the required temperatures at various stagesof the travel of the strips can be maintained. Y

During the passage of the strips through the machine they are suitablylubricated so that they may readily, be removed from the belts and otherparts with which they come in contact. This may be effected by employingsuitable lubricant holders. In the drawings I have shown lubricatingmeans 44 in wiping contact with the outside of each of belts 20 and 2|and each of belts I|5 and IIB. Lubricating members 43 and 43a are shownassociated with the exible sealing members 42, which may be wicks whichwill carry the lubricant. Each side of the gelatin strip must belubricated so that it will not adhere to any of the rolls over which itpasses or to the belt when it is taken on to be fed to the variousrolls.

When the strips of gelatin have reached the end of their path of travelon the belts I|5 and IIE they arepassed to rotary tube forming dies 48and 41 which are disposed in opposed relation to one another andcooperate to act on both strips simultaneously to join and form theminto a tube,

I as will be explained hereinafter.

Each rotary tube forming die is provided with a central circumferentialchannel 48, as shown elated with the forming die 41.

in Figures 7 and 8, the outer edges of which are defined bycircumferential anges 49 and 55 which project beyond the periphery ofthe die and together with the channel 48 constitute the forming die ofthe rolls.

v When the gelatin strips are passed to the rotary tube forming dies 46and 41 they pass over the peripheryl of these dies and betweencooperating forming rolls, one series 5| being associated with therotary die 46 and the second series 52 asso- Each of these rolls isformed with a,v circumferential rib 58 having a rounded external contourand fitting within the channel 48 of the associated forming die, so thata portion of each strip of gelatin is formed into a semi-circle incross-section, as illustrated at 54, to form one-half of the tube whichis to be produced. It is apparent, therefore, that as the strips passthrough their first portion of travel over dies 46 and 41 they areprellminarily formed into channel-like members. Any suitable alternativemethod of pre-forming lthe tube may of course be used.

i In moving further around the dies 46 and 41 the strips pass throughthe nip of the latter to form the tube. This operation is carried out incombination with a hollow forming mandrel or the like 55 of an externaldepth corresponding to the interior diameter of the tube to be formedand consequently of a depth less than the width of the channels 48 inthe forming rolls. The mandrel may be flattened along two sides, as willbe more fully explained hereinafter.

As the strips of gelatin are moved into the nip of the forming dies thecircumferential flanges 49 and 50 on each roll coming together have ashearing effect on the strips and the marginal portions 56 of the latter(see Fig. 8) are cut away while the parts of each strip designed to formthe body of the tube are sealed together along the side edges. Duringthe shearing and sealing operation the gelatin strips are formed aroundthe mandrel so that when the tube is formed its interior diametercorresponds with the depth or greatest width, whichever is the greater,of the mandrel. In this way, therefore, it is possible to produce a tubehaving a uniform interior diameter throughout.

The marginal portions of the stri-ps sheared during die formation of thetube are, of course,

retrievable and readily melted to be used again.

y forming dies 51 and 58 where it is formed into capsules which arefilled with the desired material during the course of their formation.This may be accomplished in different ways which will be'fully describedhereinafter.

The rotary forming dies 51 and 58 are mounted on cross shafts 59 and 60and are driven in timed relation to the tube forming dies 46 and 41 bymeans of sprockets which initially derive their motion from the shaft||4 carrying a suitable sprocket designed to operate the drivefchain 6|.

This chain after passing around the sprocket on then to sprocket onshaft 65, which shafts carry the rotary dies 46 and 41, the chainengaging opposite sides of the sprockets sok as to rotate the shafts 64and 65 and dies 46 and 41 in opposite 5 directions. The chain thenpasses on to engage a sprocket on shaft B6 which serves to causerotation of the lower roll of the series 52. the remaining rolls of thisseries being driven from the lower roll by means of sprockets andchains. 10 Thus the rotary tube forming die 46 and rotary capsuleforming'die 51 are rotated in the same direction, and the rotary tubeforming die 41 and rotary capsule forming die 58 in the samedirection'but opposite to the direction of dies 46 and l5 51. Thelowerseries of forming rolls 52 are operated through the same driving medium,while the upper series 5| are driven by means of a sprocket chain |4|from a sprocket on the shaft 65, the lower roll of the series 5| beingdriven from chain |4| and the remaining in the series driven from thelower roll by means of suitable sprockets and chains. Thus the series 5Iare rotated in direction opposite to that of series 52, while eachseries 5|, 52 is driven in opposite dlrection to the tube forming roll46, 41 with which it cooperates.

The gelatin strips-are moved through the machine by the gripping actionof the capsule forming dies 51 and 58 which have the effect of pull- 3oing the formed tube and consequently the strips from which the tube isformed. In this connection it may be noted that the hollow mandrel 55 isreduced in diameter or depth as 'at `61 at a point between the tubeforming rolls 46 and 41 and the capsule forming rolls 51 and 58.v Thiswill be noted by reference particularly to Figures 3 and- 4. Thusexcessive friction between the formed tube and the mandrel 55 isobviated.y The sides of the inner end of the mandrel are flattened 40 topermit of the escape of air from the tube and thus prevent air beingsealed in the completed capsule.

The preferred manner of forming the capsules from the already formedtube is illustrated particularly in Figures 4 and 5. The inner end ofthe hollow mandrel is in effect swaged and terminates in a wedge-likeformation, the outer relatively flattened surfaces of the wedge-likeformation having an arcuate contour. The end of the mandrel 55 fitsclosely to the forming dies and extends to a point just short of theactual nip of these coacting rolls 51 and 58. As the tube is drawn overthe swaged end of the mandrel 55 it is, of course, stretched andflattened out and 55 the periphery voi" the die cavities 16 may be movedfirmly into contact with the opposite sides of the tube as they lie onthe swaged end of the mandrel 55. Having regard to the thickness of thegelatin tube and the very slight clearance between the so peripheries ofthe die cavities 16 when passing the swaged end of the mandrel, theseperipheries will be caused to engage the slightly flattened tube underpressure. In view of this the area of the tube enclosed by each diecavity will in effect 55 be sealed between the die cavity and themandrel 55 as illustrated in Figure 5. y

The top and bottom sides of the yswaged end of the mandrel are providedwith orifices 68 and 69, at points to coincide with the centres of the`lo die cavities of the dies 51 and 58 when a pair yof these cavitiesare, as shown in Figure 5, pressing the gelatin tube against the swagedend ofthe mandrel. Thus filling material may be passed through thehollow mandrel and forced through the orifices 68 and 69 to bulge outthe capsule halves of each capsule are uniform I prefer to feed thefilling material under pressure separately to each side of the capsuleforming tube. This is accomplished by dividing the hollow mandrel 55 bya central division wall and connecting the separated sections 1| and 1.2with separate sources of supply of the lling material. By intermittentlyfeeding under pressure measured and corresponding quantities of materialthrough the sections 1| and 12 when each pair of die cavities 16 engagesthe opposite outer portions of vthe gelatin tube, the'opposite innerportions of the tube will be bulged out on each side, as shown in Figure5, to a uniform degree. If the illling Vmaterial is injected through thehollow mandrel to form the capsule without separate control for eachside, it is possible that the capsules formed may be non-uniform incharacter because the gelatin strips from which the tube is formed mayhave different degrees of elasticity, depending for instance upon theirrelative thickness and temperature, so that in such a case the side ofthe tube having the least resistance would bulge outwardly to a greaterextent. of the fact that the supply is separately controlled for eachside of the capsule, it is obvious that regardless of a difference inthe elastic conditions of opposite sides of the tube these sides must beoutwardly projected to the same degree because they are filled with anequal quantity of liquid.

The filling material is passed through the mandrel 55 under pressurefrom suitable pressure devices |41 and |48. There are some medicineswhich are dimcult to mix Without stirring air into However, by reason.

end just before the point where itis swaged is enlarged, as indicated at11, to the normal cross sectional area that prevails when it pasesbetween tne forming rolls 46 and 41 so that it again engages the innerwalls of the gelatin tube. Moreover, in the area 1,1 the mandrel isprovided with a proJectlng peripheral bead 'I8 which lunctions tostretch the walls of the gelatin tube at this point so that the tubepasses over this bead in wiping pressure contact. Consequently any airthat may have found its way between the mandrel and the tube isprevented from passing on to the swaged end of themandrel and istherefore prevented from entering into the capsules as they are formed.ThllS, a. uniform symmetrical capsule is produced from which air isexcluded.

Associated also with the rotary dies 51 and 58 are rotary cleaningbrushes 84 and 85 (see Fig. 3). These are disposed to engage theperiphery of the dies at a point in their circumference beyond thatwhere the capsules are formed so that that surface of each die which hasjust previously formed capsules is subjected to the cleaning action ofthe brushes. Hence the working surface of each die will be cleaned ofany particles when it moves into contact with the tube to form thecapsules. shafts 86 and 81 carrying sprocket wheels which are in turnoperated by the chains 88 and 89, the former being operated from asprocket on shaft ||3 while the latter from a sprocket cariied on theshaft 60. means could be used.

Portions of the strips are subjected to a vacuum during the time theyare being formed into the tube preparatory to forming the capsule. Thisthem, and if two pressure devices are used, one

medicine can be pumped in one half of the capsule and another in thesecond half so that the mixing will take place within the capsulewithout brought together as indicated at 13, Figure 4. Atl

this poi'nt the material in the rearward edges of the same die cavitiesis still separated vby the narrower end of the swaged sheath. Uponcontinuation of the rotary movement of the dies the meeting portions at13 move through the nip of the dies so that the tube is pressed rmly anda shearing action takes place substantially simultaneously throughoutthe periphery of the die cavities immediately following the removal ofthe material adjacent the rearward edges of the die cavity from theextreme Vforward end of the swaged mandrel. In effect "the action of themeeting die cavities is to shear and turn in the edges of the tube sosheared so that they will meet and seal together to form a perfectcapsule. Surplus material 14 formed from part of the tube which extendsbetween the die cavities is received in auxiliary cavities 15 betweenthe die cavities and may be readily discharged for further use asreferred to hereafter.

I It will be noted that the mandrel, at its forward way and are of suchis illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 wherein the tube forming rolls 46 and 41are shown as being provided with radially extending passageways and 9|,on each side of the channel 48, these passageways opening on theperipheral surface of the rolls at a point over which the marginal edgesof the strips pass. 'I'he passageways 90 and 9| are connected bytransverse passageways 93 which open on one side of each roll andcommunicate with the segmental vacuum heads 94 and 95. These segmentalheads are arranged in such a a length that vacuum will be applied to themarginal edges of the strips from the point where they move away fromthe end rolls of the series 5|' and 52 respectively until the 'stripsenter the nip Moreover, the lower segmental vacuum headl is longer thanthe upper one as will be clearly seen from Fig. 9, so that after thetube has been formed, the marginal edges of the strips which have beenform the tube are still subjected to vacuum to carry them cleanly awayfrom the tube as it is formed. These marginal 'edges of the strips willthen be free to be discharged from the machine uponpassing away from thearea of the forming roll subjected to vacuum, to be reused again. 'I'hevacuum heads 94 and 95 Yare connected by means of suitable outlets -96and 91 with a vacuum applying means of any well known construction.

The die rolls 51 and 58 also are provided with vacuum means as will bepassageways 19 are provided in each die roll leading from the surplusmaterial cavities 151. Radial passageways |42 leading from the centreofeach die cavity are also provided. The passageways 19 connect in thesame manner as the passageways in the tube forming rolls with a suitablevacuum means through vacuum heads |43. Also in The rotary brushes arecarried on' Any other suitable cleaning of the forming rolls 46 and 41.V

sheared from the material designed to seen in Fig. 4. RadialV the vacuumheads are passageways connected to a source of air pressure |44. Thesepassageways to the passageways |42 and the air blast removes thecapsules from the dies.

An alternative manner of making the capsules is shown in Fig. 6. In thiscase the rotary capsule forming die rolls 98 and 99 replace the dierolls 51 and 58 and carry, as in the case of said latter die rolls,suitable die cavities and |0| respectively. These cavities, however, arespaced apart from one another around the periphery of the dies to aslightly greater extent than the die cavities in the dies 51 and 58 topermit the mounting therebetween of slidable plungers |02 normallyspring-pressed outwardly by coil springs |03 which may encircle shanks|04 projecting from the plungers |02. The plungers also have laterallyprojecting pintles |05 which pass through slots in an outer wall of eachof the rotary dies 98 and 99 and are designed to pass into a suitablecam the cam track formed thereby being disposed as' indicated at |08,substantially in the same arc as the arc of each die at a. point wherethe pintles of the plungersrst pass into the cam track. Thus, in thefirst instance, the plungers project to their fullest extent from theperipheral surface of the dies so that opposed plungers of each die maycooperate with one another and act to engage the tube at a point justbeyond the mandrel |09 and to close one end thereof after it hasreceived its supply of capsule forming material injected through themandrel. This therefore, causes the walls of the capsule to bulge or tobe forced outwardly just as this portion of the tube is about to beengaged by opposed cooperating 4die cavities of the rotary dies 98 and99 which, in coming together, surround and confine between them thatportion of the tube so nlled. 'Ihis is clearly illustrated in Fig. 6.

At the point where the plungers |02 engage the tube so as4 to close oneend of it, the cam track |05 associated with each die 98 and 99 isvoifset so that it gradually causes the plungers |02 to retract againstthe action of their coil springs |03, the track being so designed thatthe plungers Will remain in contact with that part of the tube disposedon each side of the die cavities forming the capsules. In this'waycapsules are readily formed from the tube and a, substantially uniformcapsule results.` It is clear, of course, in this instance, that allother parts of the apparatus are substantially the same as thosepreviously described except that the mandrel |09 is not swaged totheextent illustrated and described in connection with the preferred formof structure and it is will be truly symmetrical and uniform, eachcapsule containing an identical quantity of lling material from whichthe air is positively excluded.

In the foregoing specification reference has been made to producing`gelatin strips and forming the capsule from a gelatinous material. It isto be understood, however, that the invention is designed to apply tothe formation of capsules from any -material thatis practicable anddesirable.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. Apparatus for forming filled capsules comprising a pipe formed withaswaged wedge-like end having outlet ducts on opposite sides andpartitioned longitudinally to form separated sections,

' means for feeding capsule covering material to the pipe, means forextending said material around the pipe to form a tube surrounding thelatter, means for separately delivering capsule filling material throughseparate sections of the pipe to the outlet ducts, to expand oppositesides of the tube to a uniform extent and means cooperating with thepipe for engaging, shearing and sealing the ends of the tube on eachside of the expanded portion to form a capsule.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim l in which the means for engaging,shearing and sealing the ends ofthe tube comprises a pair ofco-operating rotary dies formed with a plurality of opposed diecavities, said die cavities encircling each expanded portion of the tubeand shearing and sealing the ends of the tube when they are caused tomove-substantially into engagement with one another.

3. Apparatus as claimed in cla'im l in which the means for extendingsaid material around the pipe comprises a pair of co-operating formingrolls having a peripheral channel designed to extend around the pipe andhaving marginal edges 4Q.designed to engage said covering material andto shear it and seal the marginal edges thereof to form the tube.

4. .Apparatus for forming iilled capsules Icomprising means for formingtwo strips of capsule covering material, means for moving said strips, apair of forming rolls, means in connection with the forming rolls forforming said strips with a continuous channel, a pipe, means inconnection `with the forming rolls for pressing said channeled stripsaround the pipe and for shearing and sealing said strips to form a tube,said pipe having a discharge outlet over which said tube extends, meansfor delivering a measured quantity 0f capsule filling material throughthe pipe to the outlet to expand the tube and means cooperating with thepipe for engaging, shearing and sealingA the ends of the tube on eachside of. the expanded portion to form a capsule.v

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in4 which a casing is providedenclosing the strips of material, the tube and capsules, said casingbeing partitioned to form a plurality of chambers to form a means ofcontrolling the temperature of the strip, tubes and capsules as they areformed.

6. Apparatus for forming iilled capsules com-. prising means for'formingtwo strips of capsule covering material, means for moving said strips, a-pmr of forming rolls, means in connection with the forming rollsforforming said strips with a continuous channel, a pipe, means inconnection with the forming rolls for pressing said enameled stripsaround the pipe and for shearing and sealing said strips to form a tube,said forming rolls having means on their peripheral surfaces rto causeIthe sheared surplus material to be carried a predetermineddistancebeyond the point of shear, said pipe having a discharge outlet overwhich said tube extends, means for delivering a measured quantity ofcapsule filling material through the pipe to the outlet to expand thetube and means co-operating with the pipe for engagsule coveringmaterial are provided.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein lubricating means for thestrips of capsule covering material are provided.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein means are provided to stopintermittently the movement of a part of the strips of capsule coveringmaterialto take up the stretch therein.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 having automatic means for stoppingintermittently the movement of a part of the strips of capsule coveringmaterial to take up the stretch therein.

11. Apparatus for forming filled capsules comprising a storage tank forthe capsule covering material, a series of endless belts for carryingthe said material, means for depositing the said material on the saidbelts in a predetermined thickness, lubricating means for the saidmaterial to prevent' it adhering to the said belts, temperature controlmeans associated with the said belts, means for stopping intermittentlythe movement of a portion of each strip of material deposited on thebelt to take up the stretch therein, means for forming pairs of stripsinto a tube, a. partitioned pipe having inlet and outlet openingstherein and`over which the said tube is drawn, die rolls associatedWiththe said pipe for forming capsules, means for drawing the tubealong-the pipe and pressure means associated with thesaid pipe fordelivering .intermittently predetermined quantities of filling materialto the pipe to expand the tube and means on the die rolls (zo-operatingwith the pipe for engaging, shearing and sealing the ends of the -tube oeach side of the portion thereof expanded by the lling material to forma capsule. Y l

12. The method of making capsules which comprises forming -a tube ofcapsule covering mav terlal around a pipe, flattening two opposed sides'of the tube, exerting pressure around only the perimeter of an area ofeach flattened side, deliverlng capsule iilling material to the tubewithin each said area while said pressure is so exerted, thus to expandthe walls of the tube within i said areas, bringing the sides of thetube together while the walls are so expanded, and exerting furtherpressure around the perimeter of said areas to shear the tube and sealthe walls thereof together around said areas to form a sealed capsule. I

13. VIn an apparatus for forming capsules, means for wrapping capsulecovering material in strip form around a pipe and for sealing adjacentedges of said material together to form a tube thereof on said pipe,said means comprising a pair of revolving members, means to cause theperipheral surfaces of said members to move in close proximity to eachother and to'said pipe during part of their travel, means for applyingcapsule covering material in strip form to the said peripheral surfaces,passageways extending from said peripheral surfaces,` and means forconnecting said passageways to a source pf vacuum during at least thatpart of the travel of said members preceding the point at which .saidperipheral surfaces are in closest proximity.

14. In an apparatus for making capsules. a hollow member partitioned toform separated sections and provided with an outlet foreach section,means for pressing separate portions of capsule covering materialagainst said member around each of said outlets, whereby communicationbetween said separate portions is prevented, and means for supplyingcapsule filling material separately to each of the sections of saidmember and delivering it to said portions through said outlets. l

15. Apparatus for forming capsules comprising a pipe having an outlet atone end thereof, a pair of cooperating rotary members for wrappingcapsule covering material in strip form around said pipe and for sealingadjacent edges o! said material together to form a tube of said materialon said pipe, a second pair of cooperating rotary members for drawingsaid tube along said pipe toward the end of the latter over said outlet,a circumferential bead formed on the pipe and spaced from the outlet forpreventing seepage o f air between the pipe land the tube. means fordelivering capsule filling material through said outlet to the tube, andmeans on said last' mentioned rotary members for shearing and sealingthe lled tube at predetermined intervals, after it has been drawn offthe end of the pipe, to form sealed capsules.

16. Apparatus for forming capsules comprising a pipe longitudinallypartitioned to form separated sections, a pair of cooperating rotarymembers for wrapping capsule covering material in strip form around saidpipe and forI sealing adjacent edges of said material together to form.

a tube of said material on said pipe, a second` pair of cooperatingrotary members for drawing. `said tube along said pipe toward the end ofthe; latter, said end being of wedge like form andi` projecting betweenthe second pair oi rotary.

members, an outlet communicating with one of the sections of the pipebeing formed in each of the opposed faces of the Wedge, means fordelivering capsule lling material through said outlets to the tube, andmeans on said last mentioned rotary members for shearing and sealingmaterial on said pipe, a second pair oi' cooperating rotary members fordrawing said tube along said'pipe toward the end of the latter over saidoutlet, means for delivering capsule iilling ma.- terialthrough'said'outlet to the tube, and means on said last mentioned rotarymembers for shearing and sealing the lled tube at predeterminedintervals, after it has been drawn off the end of the pipe, to formsealed capsules.

18. Apparatus for forming capsules comprising a pipe having an outlet atone end thereof, a pair of cooperating rotary members for wrappingcapsule covering material in strip form around said pipe and for sealingadjacent edges of said material together to form a tube of said materialon said pipe, a pair of cooperating rotary dies for drawing said tubealong `said pipe towards the end of the latter over said outlet, meansfor delivering capsule filling material through said outlet to the tube,a plurality of opposed `die cavities formed in said dies, pairs of vsaiddie cavities encircling parts of the filled tube at predeterminedintervals and shearing and sealing the tube around the encircled partsthereof when they are caused to move substantially into en`4 gagementwith -one another, and a plurality of movable plungers mounted in thedies between the die cavities to engage the tube on either side of thedie cavities to` assist in forming the capsules. y

19. Apparatus for forming capsules comprising a pipe, a pair ofcooperating rotarymembers for wrapping capsule covering materialin stripform around said pipe and for sealing adjacent edges of said materialtogether to form a tube of said material on said pipe, a. pair of dierolls arranged to rotate in contact with one another for drawing saidtube along said pipe towards one end of the latter, a plurality of diecavities formed in the peripheries of the die rolls and adapted toregister with one another at the nip of the rolls,

said one end of the pipe over which the tube is .an outlet for capsulefilling material being formed in each of said faces, and means fordelivering capsule filling material through each outlet to the tubewhereby the capsule covering material is expanded into said die cavitiesas the latter pass over the outlets.' the edges of thedie cavitiesacting to shear and seal the expanded portions of the tube as they passthroughthe nip of the rolls and after they -have been drawn off the endof the pipe, to form sealed capsules.

20. Apparatus for forming capsules comprisl ing a pipe longitudinallypartitioned to form separated sections and having an outlet from eachsection, means for wrapping capsule covering rial together to form atube of said material on said pipe, means for intermittently deliveringcapsule filling material from separate sources of supply through each ofsaid outlets to predetermined sections of said tube to expand its wallsin said sections, and means for pressing and shearing the tube atopposite ends of said sections to seal said filling material therewithinand form sealed capsules.

21. The method of making capsules which comprises extending capsulecovering material around a pipe to-form a tube, stretching andfiattening a section of the tube to provide opped substantiallyfiatsides, passing iiowable capsule filling material through the pipe in twoindependent streams, delivering substantially equal quantities of saidlling material separately and independently to each flattened side ofthe tube to expand said sides to a substantially equal extent, andpressing and shearing the tube at opposite ends of said section to sealsaid filling material therewithin t form a sealed capsule.

22. Apparatus for forming capsules comprising a pipe having an outlet atone end thereof,

means for wrapping capsule covering material in strip form around saidpipe and 'for sealing adjacent edges of said material together to form atube of said material around said pipe, means for drawing said tubealong said pipe and over said outlet, said pipe having an enlargedportion,

between said wrapping means and said outlet, the

maximum perimeter of said portion being greater than the normal internalperimeter'of said tube. whereby said tube is stretched as it passes thepipe is longitudinally partitioned to form separated sections eachhaving an outlet at the end of the pipe.

CHESTER A. SPOTZ.

